Mud fever (pastern dermatitis) causes painful skin lesions on horses' lower legs. Prevention and early treatment are essential welfare interventions in wet climates and muddy conditions.
Horses with established mud fever have painful leg lesions that cause lameness and significant discomfort when the area is touched. The crusted scabs trap moisture and bacteria, worsening the underlying infection if not properly removed and treated. Effective management requires careful crust removal - itself painful without appropriate analgesia - followed by topical antibiotic and barrier treatment. Prevention through pasture management and leg care is far preferable. Horses kept in permanent mud face chronic mud fever risk that constitutes ongoing welfare harm, making appropriate land management and provision of dry standing essential.